Castro mixed with the great and the good of the 20th century. Here he is pictured with Nelson Mandela

Spies also tried planting an exploding cigar and a pen concealing a poison-loaded hypodermic syringe.
Castro and first wife Mirta Diaz Balart had one son and divorced in 1956 before his 40-year relationship with Dalia Soto del Valle which produced five sons. They married in 1980.

While many of his supporters believed Castro lived frugally, the dictator enjoyed a luxurious lifestyle.

He had a private island, Cayo Piedra, which was dubbed “The Garden of Eden” and was served by his luxury yacht, the Aquarama II.

Juan Sanchez, his bodyguard for 17 years, said: “Castro would sit in his large leather director’s armchair, a glass of Chivas Regal on the rocks (his favourite drink) in his hand.

“He suggested the revolution gave him no rest, and he despised the bourgeois concept of holidays. He lies.”